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Topic: Opiods In Ohio (Read 5048 times)

I keep hearing about this on the news and reading about it. OH is made out to be the fentanyl and OD capital of the US. Is it really that bad in OH? If so, why? This has to be more complicated than "Dope is available and the people who OD are just losers." Or maybe not. Any opinions/perspective from people who actually live there would be appreciated.

Yes, it is that bad... Before I retired, even in our little dink town of Massillon Ohio I would run on 3 to 4 OD's in a day sometimes.... And that was just the Station I worked at. Of course my Station's response area included the SE side of town where a lot of the drug activity and sales take place and an Opioid rehab facility on the grounds of the old State Hospital that takes patients from at least 5 counties and has a waiting list months and months long.

The Stark County Coroner has had to rent refrigerated storage units or trailers to store extra bodies at times because they run out of room in the morgue.

In the town I live in, slightly smaller than Massillon, I have a friend who owns a funeral home. He averages 2 - 3 overdose deaths every month. Another friend is the Assistant Fire Chief, he says they make runs about every day and have to use the NarCan shot 4-5 times a day on OD'ers, some days more.

This area is a hotbed for trafficking and one reason is the interstate highway system crosses through NE Ohio pretty efficiently. You can travel from Chicago to Detroit to Cleveland to Pittsburgh in 8 hours. Apparently, it's a major thoroughfare for the drug industry.

One big reason is that Most Doctors 'Overprescribe' Narcotic Painkillers for every ache and pain.

"The problem has reached the point where these highly addictive painkillers, which include commonly prescribed drugs such as Oxycontin, Percocet and Vicodin, now account for more drug overdose deaths than heroin and cocaine combined, according to the report."

"So to fulfill my duty as an American, allow me to place blame for our current opioid crisis. Allow me to start with physicians. We overprescribe opioids, just as we overprescribe antibiotics. But it is generally well meaning; we don’t want our patients to experience pain"

Very similar to the crack epidemic of the 80's. Somewhat different demographic this time but same thing basically - people like drugs. Seen alcohol ravage families too. Life I guess. So do we lock them up or have sympathy? You tell me. Or let Darwin take it's course?

Like Nancy Reagan said - Just Say No. Educate at an early age. Warn your kids. Hope for the best. And if you HAVE to do something stick with alcohol or better yet actually - weed. You might get stupid but not die.

The thing is, I was the kind of person my whole career that would talk to the patients and try to get to know them and what they were going through a little in the short time we spent together. Just in the last few years I transported dozens and dozens of addicts from rehab going through withdrawal and OD patients to the hospital and I would always ask them questions about their addiction.... Like: Did you do other drugs before you tried heroin or fentanyl? How or why did you start injecting heroin?

Almost every single one of them said that they started out smoking pot and moved on to stronger drugs. Which makes me think that those who defend marijuana and say it's not a gateway drug aren't being completely honest about it.

Not one of the multiple dozens I asked ever stated that they started heroin after an opioid prescription was cut off by their physician. They all decided to try it either while they were already high from something else or they were talked into it by a friend, relative, boyfriend/girlfriend who used or they decided to try it to dull the pain of dealing with past abuse, sexual assault, loss of a loved one etc.... I know it's a small sample of the nationwide problem, but it lead me to believe that the whole "over prescribed by a physician" excuse is way overblown.... Just my opinion.

Thanks for the insight fryewood. The vast majority that I ever knew did NOT graduate to heavier drugs. Though I am sure pot was a gateway for some most would probably have just skipped a step. Personally I think lethal drug use would spike without safer alternatives.

Almost every single one of them said that they started out smoking pot and moved on to stronger drugs. Which makes me think that those who defend marijuana and say it's not a gateway drug aren't being completely honest about it.

Fyrewood, I think that you know that I would not dispute your personal experience. But, do you think that there is a valid argument to be made that gateway "personalities" may be more predictive than gateway "drugs"?

One big reason is that Most Doctors 'Overprescribe' Narcotic Painkillers for every ache and pain.

"The problem has reached the point where these highly addictive painkillers, which include commonly prescribed drugs such as Oxycontin, Percocet and Vicodin, now account for more drug overdose deaths than heroin and cocaine combined, according to the report."

"So to fulfill my duty as an American, allow me to place blame for our current opioid crisis. Allow me to start with physicians. We overprescribe opioids, just as we overprescribe antibiotics. But it is generally well meaning; we don’t want our patients to experience pain"

Most alcoholics start with beer but it's still legal. I enjoy a drink of Glenfidditch 40 single malt after a good meal at times, but I don't think it's a gateway to me being an alcoholic. It's the persons choice to keep trying for a better high or to drink to where they can forget, if they chose they stop and go home or keep going. Personal choices. What motivates a particular individual to keep going or to stop? Desire and will. Works in sports, works in life. IMO.

What motivates a particular individual to keep going or to stop? Desire and will. Works in sports, works in life. IMO.

That yes, and dumb luck. You & I can enjoy a beverage whenever we want and not become alcoholic. I've had oxy and vicodin after surgery and did not care for them. For others apparently it is the greatest feeling in the world and their brain and body begins to crave it. I don't get it but feel fortunate I guess. Skoal however I got hooked on - bad! So I certainly can't take credit for being strong willed. And chocolate raisins - fuggetaboutit.

Oh my GAWD. I want to make sure I read this right. The reason for idiots OD'ing on opium is because of pot? Um, OK then. But surely you don't believe this.

I didn't say that was the only reason but it is one of them. Over prescribing pain killers is the main cause but Woody is correct on the fact a lot need something stronger than weed to get the same high.

I could send you the 1 hour presentation I did for the Stark County Safety Council on the subject. LOL!!